Method for placing an aligned label on an object

ABSTRACT

A method for applying a label to an object using a label assembly with a back sheet and a face sheet includes exposing at least one hole in the face sheet by remove a first portion of the back sheet from the face sheet. The label assembly is then aligned with an applicator apparatus using the at least one hole and a corresponding locating element on the apparatus. An object is then placed onto the label assembly on the apparatus to transfer the label of the face sheet onto the object.

This application claims benefit of 60/439,121 filed Jan. 10, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention is directed to a label assembly and apparatus for thepositive, indexed application of labels to objects such as CDs.

2. Description of Related Art

Labels such as those described herein can be used in connection with awide variety of items, particularly, compact discs (CDs), jewel casesand the like. It is desirable to have a label for adhering to items thatwill apply straight and direct to the object without misalignment,wrinkles, bubbles, folds or other errors inherent in the application ofadhesive-backed labels to items.

In addition, labels improperly affixed to objects, such as CDs, withadhesive can harm the discs if a user attempts to remove and/orstraighten the labels. More specifically, damage may be caused bypulling off some of the disc protective coating, metal and dye alongwith the label. In addition, when a traditional label is peeled from itsbacking, the traditional label includes an inherent curling that maymanifest itself a period of time later by peeling away from the object.This peel memory is problematic with tradition peel and stick labels andparticularly destructive when used in connection with CDs that requirehigh-speed, balanced rotation for proper operation.

Accordingly, a need exists for a new and improved label or labelassembly that provides means for labeling the CDs and related goods inan accurate and positive fashion. A further need exists for a labelassembly that can be easily manufactured and assembled to form a labelthat may be applied in a consistent manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a label assembly and an applicatorapparatus, for use either independently or in tandem. The label assemblyis of any suitable shape, and generally any suitable size that can beaccepted by and fed through a printer, such as a laser printer or an inkjet printer. The label assembly preferably includes a face sheet and aback sheet with a layer of adhesive between. The adhesive is preferablyapplied to one side of the face sheet with an opposite side of the facesheet having a printable surface.

The label assembly according to a preferred embodiment of this inventionfurther includes the face sheet having a label portion removable withrespect to a carrier portion. The label portion is preferably pre-cut orshaped into a desired form for application in a desired manner, such asa CD.

The back sheet of the label assembly preferably includes a first portionthat is removable with respect to a second portion. The back sheetpreferably includes one side having a treated surface to facilitateremoval of the back sheet relative to the face sheet. Therefore, atleast one side of the back sheet preferably includes a smooth and/orwaxy surface to ease separation from the adhesive side of the facesheet. The side opposite the treated surface of the back sheet may be aprintable surface or any other suitable surface.

The first portion of the back sheet is preferably generally coextensivewith the label portion of the face sheet. Likewise, the second portionof the back sheet is preferably generally coextensive with the carrierportion of the face sheet. When the first portion is removed from thelabel assembly, the second portion of the back sheet is attached to, andsupports, the label portion of the face sheet. In one embodiment of thisinvention, a circular label portion is retained following removal of afirst portion that is generally circular and generally coextensive withlabel portion and includes two or more areas of overlap from the backsheet to the label portion. The areas of overlap may comprise two ormore retainers that extend from the second portion and adhere to thelabel portion.

The label assembly may include one or more center holes and/or indexholes that are removed as the first portion is removed. Such centerholes and/or index holes may be used to align the label assembly onto asuitable applicator apparatus.

The apparatus for use in applying the label assembly may include a baseand/or a center stem and/or one or more locating elements. The centerstem of the apparatus may be mateable with the center hole of the labelassembly. Similarly, the locating elements may be mateable with one ormore index holes of the label assembly.

As a result of the configuration of the label assembly and/or theapparatus, the label portion is positioned so that the adhesive side oflabel portion faces upward from the base. When an object, such as a CD,is positioned on the apparatus and the label assembly, the label portionis transferred in a desired manner onto such object.

In operation, and as described above, the carrier portion of the labelassembly remains on the apparatus following application of the labelportion to the CD or other labeled object. Accordingly, the labelportion is separated from the remaining label assembly, leaving thecarrier portion in position on the apparatus. As a result, a secondlabeling operation may be used to transfer one or more additional labelportions onto an object using the same label assembly. The additionallabel portion may include a spine label for application to a CD jewelcase and/or any other suitable labels including traditional peel andstick labels.

An arm may be used on the base to contact at least a portion of thelabel assembly, so that as the label portion is removed from the facesheet, the remainder of the face sheet and/or the carrier portion isretained and therefore the label portion separates cleanly from thecarrier portion. The arm may further include a locating aperture thatcorresponds with a size and placement of a label portion when the arm isin a flush position relative to the base. As a result, an object may beinserted through the locating aperture in the arm to transfer the labelportion of the face sheet onto the object.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a label orlabel assembly, that is suitable to be adhered to a compact disc (CD) ordigital video disc (DVD).

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a labelassembly that includes a label portion in a plane with the adhesive sidefacing upwards.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a labelassembly that is indexable within an apparatus to provide uniform andrepeatable application to an object.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a labelassembly that includes index holes that mate with locating elements inan applicator apparatus.

It is also another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus for applying a label portion of a label assembly to an objectthat includes a moveable arm for maintaining a portion of the labelassembly in a stationary position as the label portion is transferred tothe object.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a labeland/or label assembly suitable for labeling CDs and DVDs that does notadversely affect CDs and DVDS.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill become further apparent from the following detailed description ofthe presently preferred embodiments, read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings. The detailed description and drawings areintended to illustrate the present invention rather than limit the scopeof the present invention as defined by the appended claims andequivalents of the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can be better understood with reference to thefollowing drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals designatecorresponding parts throughout the several views. Moreover, it should benoted that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis insteadbeing placed upon clearly illustrating principles of the presentinvention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of an apparatus for applying a labelaccording to one preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side perspective view of the apparatus shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a back sheet side view of a label assembly accordingto one preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a face sheet side view, opposite the view shown inFIG. 3, of the label assembly;

FIG. 5 illustrates a side perspective view of a label assembly as afirst portion is removed from a label portion of the label assembly;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded side perspective view of an apparatus forapplying a label without a label assembly in place according to onepreferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of an apparatus forapplying a label to a CD prior to application according to one preferredembodiment of this invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the apparatus shown inFIG. 7 following application of the label to the CD;

FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of a label assembly according to onepreferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a top perspective view of an apparatus for applyinga label to an object according to one preferred embodiment of thisinvention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a top perspective view of an apparatus for applyinga label to an object according to one preferred embodiment of thisinvention;

FIG. 12 illustrates a top view of a label assembly according to onepreferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 13 illustrates a bottom view of a label assembly of the labelassembly shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 illustrates a top view of a CD business card label assemblyaccording to one preferred embodiment of this invention; and

FIG. 15 illustrates a top view of a mini CD label assembly according toone preferred embodiment of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-15 illustrate preferred embodiments of a label assembly 10 andapparatus 200 in accordance with the present invention. It is notnecessary that apparatus 200 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 be used with labelassembly 10 shown in FIGS. 3-5 and vice versa; however, label assembly10 and apparatus 200 may include features that are particularly usefulwhen used together.

Referring generally to FIG. 3, label assembly 10 is of any suitableshape, and generally any suitable size that can be accepted by and fedthrough a printer, such as a laser printer or an ink jet printer. Commonsizes of paper generally fed through printers are 8.5 inches by 5.5inches, 8.5 inches by 11 inches, 8.263 inches by 11.688 inches (A4size), and 8.5 inches by 14 inches. Label assembly 10 preferablycomprises face sheet 20 and back sheet 30 with a layer of adhesivebetween.

Face sheet 20 is preferably but not necessarily constructed of anysuitable paper, paper composite, non-metal and/or metal material thatcan be used as a label. Other suitable materials for constructing labelsheet 20 include fabric, plastic, and metal foils. An adhesive coatingis applied, in any suitable manner known to those skilled in the art, toone side of face sheet 20. Face sheet 20 preferably has a printablesurface on a side opposite the adhesive side. The printable surface onface sheet 20 can be any of a variety of face materials used to makepressure sensitive, or self-adhesive labels. Such face materials mayinclude, but are not limited to: smudgeproof stock, litho stock, castcoated stock, tag stock, fluorescent stock, foils, computer printablepolyester, vinyl, satin cloth, Tyvek™ material, flexible plastic, bookpapers, photo quality papers and/or photo quality film. Furthermore,various portions of the face materials can be different colors, therebyresulting in different colored parts, such as the first portion 60and/or label portion 30, as described more below.

As used throughout this specification and in the claims, the term“printable surface” relates to a surface of any type of matter uponwhich a person or machine can draw, print, color, paint, photocopy,write, emboss, or make any other type of mark or graphic. Laserprinters, ink jet printers, impact printers, thermal transfer printers,direct thermal printers, typewriters, or any other suitable graphicprinting devices are preferred but not necessary for use with printablesurfaces according to this invention.

When manufacturing label assembly 10, face sheet 20 of material canoriginate from a long, continuous web of material later to be cut intoseparate sheets each having label assembly 10. For example, labelassembly 10 in FIG. 1 can be separated from adjacent label assemblies 10connected to each respective lateral edge 14 and/or longitudinal edge16. In order to provide a clean cut between adjacent label assemblies10, taking into account manufacturing registration needs or a margin oferror in spacing the cut, registration lines may extend between adjacentlabel assemblies 10. The registration lines are preferably but notnecessarily substantially perpendicular to the resulting edge of anupline label assembly 10, and the resulting edge of a downline labelassembly 10.

Label assembly 10 of the present invention is suitable for a wide numberof uses. Prior to assembling, label assembly 10 can be fed into and runthrough a printer for labeling and/or decorating any portion. Labelassembly 10 therefore includes at least one printable side for acceptingprinting, such as descriptive and/or decorative material.

Label assembly 10 according to a preferred embodiment of this inventionincludes face sheet 20 having label portion 30 removable with respect tocarrier portion 40 of face sheet 20. Label portion 30 is preferablypre-cut or shaped into a desired form for application in a desiredmanner, such as a CD.

Back sheet 50 of label assembly preferably includes first portion 60that is removable with respect to second portion 70. Back sheet 50preferably includes one side having a treated surface to facilitateremoval of back sheet 50 relative to face sheet 20. Therefore, at leastone side of back sheet 50 preferably includes a smooth and/or waxysurface to ease separation from the adhesive side of face sheet 20. Theside opposite the treated surface of back sheet 50 may be a printablesurface or any other suitable surface.

As shown in FIG. 5, first portion 60 of back sheet 50 is preferablygenerally coextensive with label portion 30 of face sheet 20. Likewise,second portion 70 of back sheet 50 is preferably generally coextensivewith carrier portion 40 of face sheet 20.

As briefly described above, a layer of an adhesive is preferablypositioned between face sheet 20 and back sheet 50 so that the adhesiveadheres to face sheet 20 exclusively or at least adheres to face sheet20 more than to back sheet 50. As a result of the above-describedconfiguration, label assembly 10 includes face sheet 20 having aprintable side and an opposite, adhesive side and a back sheet 50including a separable side and an opposite side.

According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, when firstportion 60 is removed from label assembly 10, second portion 70 of backsheet 50 is attached to label portion 30 of face sheet 20. Secondportion 70 of back sheet 50 may be attached to label portion 30 entirelyaround a perimeter of label portion 30 or at one or more distinct pointsof label portion 30. According to a preferred embodiment of thisinvention, back sheet 50 is “attached” to label portion 30 if movementof back sheet 50 results in complementary movement of label portion 30.

According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, second portion70 of back sheet 50 supports label portion 30 of face sheet 20. Secondportion 70 may support label portion 30 in a number of ways. Accordingto one preferred embodiment of this invention, shown in FIG. 9, firstperiphery 34 of label portion 30 is greater than second periphery 38 offirst portion 60. Alternatively or in addition, a first area 37 of labelportion 30 may be greater than a second area 36 of first portion 60.Likewise, a first maximum chord length 90 of label portion 30 may begreater than second maximum chord length 95 of first portion 60.

As shown in FIG. 4, label portion 30 may be circular, for instance tofacilitate application to a CD, and includes first diameter 100. Firstportion 60 is preferably correspondingly circular and has seconddiameter 105 wherein first diameter 100 is greater than second diameter105. Similarly, FIG. 5 shows circular label portion 30 and first portion60 that is generally circular and generally coextensive with labelportion 30 including two or more areas of overlap from back sheet 50 tolabel portion 30. The areas of overlap may comprise two or moreretainers 75 extending from second portion 70 and adhering to labelportion 30.

According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, label assembly10 further includes at least one index tab 65 extending from a peripheryof first portion 60. Index tab 65 may be positioned on two sides offirst portion 60 such as shown in FIG. 3. Index tab 65 is preferablyshaped in such a manner so as to facilitate peeling away of firstportion 60.

According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, particularlyfor use with labels for CDs and DVDs, center hole 35 is preferablypositioned in a center area of label portion 30. In addition, at leastone index hole 45 may be positioned within carrier portion 40. Indexhole 45, as shown in FIGS. 3-5 and 9, may be positioned directlyunderneath index tab 65 or in any other appropriate position on labelassembly 10 including through back sheet 50 and/or face sheet 20.

According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, when firstportion 60 is peeled away or otherwise removed from label portion 30,center hole 35 is opened and/or removed from label portion 30. Likewise,when first portion 60, including index tabs 65 is removed from labelportion 30 and/or carrier portion 40, index hole 45 is opened and/orremoved from label portion 30 and/or carrier portion 40.

Center hole 35, index hole 45 and/or any other cutout segment of facesheet 20 may be separated from a remaining portion of face sheet 20using an arrangement of cuts such as shown in FIG. 3. As shown, one ormore first cuts 160 may extend downwardly into first portion 60 and oneor more second cuts 170 may extend upwardly into label portion 30resulting in one or more alternating cuts extending in each directionthrough label assembly 10. As a result, first cut 160 and second cut 170join a segment, section and/or cutout of label portion 30 and/or carrierportion 40 to the treated (removeable) side of first portion 60.

Alternatively, or in addition, and as shown in FIGS. 3-5, center hole 35may be opened upon removal of first portion 60 using die cut 39extending partially along a perimeter of center hole 35 through bothface sheet 20 and back sheet 50. Die cut 39 is preferably generallyarcuate and positioned along a side of center hole 39 that correspondswith a side of first portion 60 that is removed first, as particularlyshown in FIG. 5. According to an embodiment of die cut 39 having anarcuate shape, the arc preferably extends between approximately 1° and180° along center hole 35 and more preferably extends betweenapproximately 5° and 90° along the center hole.

Alternatively, or in addition, center hole 35 may be opened upon removalof first portion 60 using an offset center hole 35 relative to acorresponding die cut 39 in first portion 60 alone.

As described above, first portion 60 is separable from label assembly 10across one or more lines of separation 110 that are positioned in backsheet 50 and each extend from a boundary line between first portion 60and second portion 70 and inward into back sheet 50. As a result oflines of separation 110, such die cuts, first portion 60 is separablefrom second portion 70. In certain instances, lines of separation 110may result in some adherence between adjacent first portion 60 andsecond portion 70 because of interference between edges in addition toslight seepage of adhesive within lines of separation 110.

According to one particular embodiment of this invention, label assembly10 is used for a CD or DVD and includes face sheet 20 having a circularlabel portion 30 that is removable with respect to carrier portion 40 offace sheet 20 and then applied to the CD. Back sheet 50 includes agenerally circular first portion 60 removable with respect to secondportion 70 of back sheet 50. Because first portion 60 of back sheet 50is generally, but not truly, coextensive with label portion 30 of facesheet 20 includes a smaller surface area than label portion 30 of facesheet 20, label portion 30 is retained by second portion 70 of backsheet 50. Further, because the adhesive layer of label portion 30 isexposed, a CD may be placed on top of label assembly 10 thereby affixinglabel portion 30 to CD.

Because of the arrangement of label assembly described above and theapparatus described below, label portion 30 may be perfectly round tocorrespond with the diameters of a CD or may be decorative, such asincluding a fanciful flower or buzzsaw outline for unique applications.The shape of label portion 30 is not limited by the manner in which itis applied according to this invention because label portion 30 remainsattached to carrier portion 40 until the object is applied and thereforeis not subject to bending, curling, wrinkles and/or other imperfectionswhich a fanciful outline may otherwise include. In other words, when atraditional label is removed from a back sheet and then applied toanother object, the traditional label curls as it is removed and thentends to wrinkle or bend as it is applied. In contrast, label assembly10 according to this invention, maintains label portion 30 in a flat andfixed position, the object to be labeled may be uniformly applied to thelabel rather than vice versa.

According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, label assembly 10may include at least one additional label portion, such as additionalportion 63, removable from back sheet 50 for use elsewhere in theparticular application, for instance, for placement on a jewel case ofthe CD. Additional portion 63 may be arranged in the same way as labelportion 30 or may otherwise be a traditional label that is removed fromback sheet 50 for subsequent placement on an object. FIGS. 1, 2, 6-8 and10 illustrate preferred embodiments of apparatus 200 for use in applyinglabel assembly 10 as generally described above and in accordance withthe present invention. More particularly, FIGS. 1, 2, 6-8 and 10 showapparatus 200 according to various preferred embodiments of thisinvention, particularly suitable for applying a label to a CD, DVD orbusiness-card CD. Apparatus 200 preferably includes base 210 and whichis molded or otherwise formed of plastic, metal, wood or any othersuitable strong, durable and generally rigid material known to thosehaving ordinary skill in the art. Depending upon the desiredapplication, base 210 may include a recessed and/or otherwise contouredportion for accommodating a particular object, such as a CD.

According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, for use withlabeling CDs, base 210 includes center stem 220 extending from a centerarea of the contoured portion of base 210. Center stem 220 is preferablysized to fit through a CD aperture 310 and may include one or moreparticular features, such as described below, that positively maintainCD 300 in position and/or permit CD 300 to be lowered onto base in auniform fashion.

Apparatus 200 preferably further includes one or more locating elements230 extending from base 210. FIG. 1 and 2 shows two locating elements230 extending from base 210, however, depending upon the application,base 210 may include one, two, three or many more locating elements 230,such as the four locating elements 230 shown in FIG. 10. Locatingelements 230 are preferably mateable with index holes 45 and used toposition label assembly 10 in a desired position on apparatus 200.

Label assembly 10 is preferably positioned on base 210, particularlywithin the contoured portion of base 210. As a result, label portion 30of label assembly 10 is positioned so that the adhesive side of labelportion 30 faces upward from base 210. As a result, when an object, suchas CD 300, is positioned on apparatus 200 and label assembly 10, labelportion 30 is transferred in a desired manner to such object.

Apparatus 200 as described can therefore accommodate label assembly 10having index hole 45 to mate with locating element 230 and/or centerhole 35 to mate with center stem 220. Therefore, when label assembly 10is in an indexed position within apparatus 200, locating element 230extends through index hole 45 and center stem 220 extends through centerhole 35.

In operation, and as described above, carrier portion 40 remains onapparatus 200 following application of label portion 30 to the CD orother labeled object. Accordingly, label portion 30 is separated fromthe remaining label assembly 10, leaving carrier portion 40 in positionon apparatus 200. As a result, a second labeling operation may be usedto transfer one or more additional label portions onto an object usingthe same label assembly 10, such as described in more detail below.

According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, label portion 30can be used as a label for CD 300 shown in FIG. 6. More particularly,the label portion 30 is die-cut, perforated, micro-perforated, orotherwise cut to form tearable line of separation which can be used toremove label portion 30 in any suitable shape, such as a circle,preferably of a slightly smaller surface area than a surface area of aCD 300.

In particular, a method for labeling a CD according to this invention,uses a label sheet (or label assembly 10) with back sheet 50 and facesheet 20 wherein face sheet 20 includes an adhesive side and a printableside. The user first removes first portion 60 of back sheet 50 from facesheet 20. As a result, label portion 30 of face sheet 20 is exposed sothat the adhesive side faces upwards. The label sheet is then placedinto an indexed position on apparatus 200. Finally, CD 300 is placedonto apparatus 200 resulting in label portion 30 transferring onto CD300 in an aligned manner free of creases, bubbles or otherirregularities.

As described above, the label sheet may be indexed on apparatus 200using at least one index hole 45 corresponding with locating element 230on apparatus 200. Alternatively, or in addition to index hole 45, thelabel sheet may be indexed on apparatus 200 using center hole 35corresponding with center stem 220 of apparatus. Alternatively, or inaddition to index hole 45 and/or center hole 35, the label sheet may beindexed on apparatus 200 using a contoured or otherwise uniquely definedsurface on base 210.

As described above, prior to application of label portion 30 to CD orother object, label portion 30 is maintained within face sheet 20 withtwo or more retainers 75 positioned in back sheet 50 around a perimeterof label portion 30. Therefore, label portion 30 of face sheet 20 isexposed so that the adhesive side faces upwards and label assembly 10 ispositioned in an indexed position on apparatus 200.

According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, a CD 300 orother object is placed onto apparatus 200, preferably so that centerstem 220 extends through CD aperture 310. As a result of placing CD 300on label portion 30 in this manner, and preferably applying lightpressure, label portion 30 of face sheet 20 is transferred onto CD 300.According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, shown in FIGS.6-8, center stem 220 may further include compressible element 225, suchas a compressible dome, positioned beneath center stem 220 whereincompressible element 225 is compressible following application of adownward force. Compressible element 225 may be constructed of anelastic polymer, similar to that used underneath computer keyboard keysso that when a gentle downward force is applied, compressible element225 compresses uniformly. As a result, center stem 225 which is matedwith CD aperture 310, is lowered onto base 210 and thereby CD 300 islowered onto label portion 30 in a generally uniform manner followingapplication of pressure.

Following application of the object to label portion 30, the object maybe removed using one or more finger apertures 240 positioned throughbase 210. In operation, the object, such as CD 300, may be applied tolabel portion 30 and still remain somewhat affixed to apparatus 200through carrier portion 40 of label assembly 10. By extending fingersthrough finger apertures 240, CD 300 is separated from carrier portion40 and expelled from base 210 with label portion 30 attached.

In addition to center stem 220 mating with center hole 35, labelassembly 10 may be further indexed on apparatus 200 using at least oneindex hole 45 in label assembly 10 and at least one correspondinglocating element 230 in apparatus 200.

According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, apparatus 200includes arm 250 that is moveable into contact with at least a portionof label assembly 10 prior to transferring label portion 30 of facesheet 20 onto the object such as a CD 300 and/or CD jewel case 320. Arm250 is preferably moveable between a position generally flush with base210 and a position away from base 210. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, arm250 may swing from hinge 260 along a side of base 210 between a positionon or generally flush with base 210 and a position back away from base210.

Arm 250 may be positively mated with base 210 when in a position flushwith base 210 by aligning locating element 230 of base 210 with armaperture 252 of arm 250. As a result, locating element 230 may extendfirst through label assembly 10 and then, when arm 250 is positioned incontact with base 210, locating element 230 extends through arm aperture252, such as shown in FIG. 1.

Arm 250 preferably swings into contact with at least a portion of labelassembly 10, so that as label portion 30 is removed from face sheet 20,the remainder of face sheet 20, or carrier portion 40, is retained andtherefore label portion 30 cleanly separates from carrier portion 40 ofthe remaining label assembly 10. FIG. 6 shows one preferred embodimentof arm 250 that surrounds a central portion of base 210 on three sidesso as to retain label assembly 10 as one or more label portions 30 areremoved.

In addition, at least one additional label portion may be indexed onapparatus 200 for placement elsewhere, such as a CD jewel case 320. Likethe method described above for label portion, an additional portion 63of back sheet 50 may be removed from face sheet 20 to expose secondlabel portion 32 of face sheet to 20. Second label portion 32 may be,for instance, a spine label for a spine of CD jewel case 320, such asshown in FIG. 6. Like label portion 30 described above, second labelportion 32 is drawn from label assembly 10 having back sheet 50 and aface sheet 20, wherein additional portion 32 of back sheet 50 isremovable from face sheet 20 to expose second label portion 32, such asa spine label. Additional portion 63 preferably includes a greatersurface area than second label portion 32. At least one pull tab 64 mayextend from a periphery of additional portion 63 to facilitate removal,both visually and physically.

According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, arm 250 mayfurther include locating aperture 270 that corresponds with a size andplacement of second label portion 32 when arm 250 is in a flush positionrelative to base 210. As a result, an object may be inserted throughlocating aperture 270 in arm 250 to transfer second label portion 32 offace sheet 20 onto the object. For instance, an edge of CD jewel case320 may be inserted through locating aperture 270 in arm 250 to transfersecond label portion 32 (a spine label) onto CD jewel case 320.

According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, two or morelabel assemblies 10 may be joined end-to-end along a longitudinalboundary 120. Preferably, each adjacent label assembly 10 is rotated180° relative to each other to facilitate application of each labelportion 30 to a CD 300. As such, each label portion 30 of each adjacentlabel assembly 10 may be printed and then a first label assembly 10 maybe inserted into apparatus 200 to apply label portion 30 followed byrotating the pair of label assemblies 180° and then inserting the secondlabel assembly 10 into apparatus to apply label portion 30 to a secondCD 300.

FIG. 11 illustrate an additional preferred embodiment of apparatus 200for use in applying label assembly 10 as generally described above andin accordance with the present invention. Apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 11is particularly suitable for applying a label to a CD, DVD, mini CD orbusiness-card CD. Apparatus 200 preferably includes base 210 and whichis molded or otherwise formed of plastic or any other suitable strong,durable and generally rigid material known to those having ordinaryskill in the art. Depending upon the desired application, base 210 mayinclude a recessed and/or otherwise contoured portion for accommodatinga particular object, such as a CD or a business-card CD. Base 210 mayfurther include a recessed and/or otherwise contoured portion foraccommodating a spine of jewel case 320.

According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, for use withlabeling CDs, base 210 includes center stem 220 extending from a centerarea of the contoured portion of base 210. Center stem 220 is preferablysized to fit through a CD aperture 310 and may include one or moreparticular features, such as described above, that positively maintainCD 300 in position and/or permit CD 300 to be lowered onto base in auniform fashion. As shown, base 210 may additionally include secondcenter stem 220 for accommodating business-card CDs and/or mini CDs.

Apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 11 further includes three locating elements230 extending from base 210, one on a side of the recess for the CD andone on a side of the recess for the business-card CD/mini CD, with acommon locating element 230 between them. Locating elements 230 arepreferably mateable with index holes 45 and used to position labelassembly 10 in a desired position on apparatus 200.

In addition, apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 11 includes arm 250 that ishinged to base 210 along hinge 260. Arm 250 preferably overlaps an edgeof CD 300, mini CD and/or business-card CD prior to application of labelportion 30. Arm 250 shown in FIG. 11 additionally includes a locatingaperture 270 for placement and indexing a spine of jewel case 320 forapplication of second label portion 32 to the spine of jewel case 320.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show label assembly 10 according to another preferredembodiment of this invention. As shown, face sheet 20 of label assembly10, shown in FIG. 12, includes label portion 30, second label portion 32and additional label portions 33 for printing and application as needed.On a reverse side of face sheet 20 is back sheet 50, shown in FIG. 13.Back sheet 50 preferably includes a corresponding first portion 60 forremoving to expose an adhesive side of label portion 30. Also,additional portion 63, corresponding with second label portion 32, isremovable to facilitate application of second label portion 32 to spineof jewel case 320.

As shown, back sheet 50 preferably includes printed detailed applicationinstructions 180. The detailed application instructions 180 on backsheet 50 may include: “1. Print your label design on opposite side. 2.Peel and remove the backing sheet from the label (as shown), removingthe 2 tab holes and the center disc hole. 3. Align tab holes and lowerthe sheet onto the applicator, printed side down (sticky side up.) 4.Lower the applicator lid over the label. Firmly press the disc face downonto the label. Apply even pressure to ensure proper labeling. 5. Liftand remove the disc from the applicator by gripping the disc edge (asshown) and pulling the labeled disc up and away from the backing sheet.Smooth down the label surface to ensure 100% adhesion. 6. To apply theJewel Case Spine Label, peel and remove the spine label backing strip(as shown.) Firmly press the end of the jewel case onto the label usingthe applicator slot as a guide. Lift the jewel case to finish.” Althoughthe preceding language differs slightly from the nomenclature usedherein, similar instructions may be used with nomenclature consistentwith that used herein.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show face sheet 20 side of label assembly 10 forapplication to business-card CDs (FIG. 14) and for application to miniCDs (FIG. 15). Such label assemblies 10 operate in a consistent fashionto those described above and may be combined in separable sheets of two,three and four or more. Such separable sheets may be printed and thenseparated along perforations or other lines of weakness to facilitateapplication using apparatus 200 such as those described herein. Inaddition, label assembly 10 may include combinations of label portions30 for application to regular CDs, business-card CDs and/or mini CDs.Therefore, a single label assembly 10 may include label portion 30 for aregular CD, label portion 30 for business-card CD and/or label portion30 for mini CD.

While in the foregoing specification this invention has been describedin relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many detailshave been set forth for purpose of illustration, it will become apparentto those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible toadditional embodiments and that certain of the details described hereincan be varied considerably without departing from the basic principlesof the invention. Therefore, to particularly point out and distinctlyclaim the subject matter regarded as the invention, the following claimsconclude the specification.

We claim:
 1. A method for labeling an object using a label assembly witha back sheet and a face sheet, the face sheet having an adhesive sideand a printable side, the method comprising: removing a first portion ofthe back sheet from the face sheet to cause a center hole to open in theface sheet; positioning a die cut that extends partially along aperimeter of the center hole through the face sheet and the back sheet,wherein the die cut is positioned along a side of the center hole thatcorresponds with a side of the first portion that is removed first andthe die cut is an arc extending between approximately 5° and 90° alongthe center hole; placing the label assembly on an apparatus using thecenter hole to align the label sheet with a center stem of the apparatusso that the adhesive side of the face sheet faces upwards; placing anobject onto the label assembly on the apparatus; and transferring alabel portion of the face sheet onto the object.
 2. The method of claim1, wherein one or more index holes are positioned in the label sheetcorresponding with one or more locating elements on the apparatus. 3.The method of claim 1 further comprising: swinging an arm into contactwith at least a portion of the label assembly prior to transferring thelabel portion of the face sheet onto the object.
 4. A method forapplying a label to an object using a label assembly with a back sheetand a face sheet, the method comprising: exposing at least one hole inthe face sheet by removing a first portion of the back sheet from theface sheet; aligning the label assembly on an apparatus using the atleast one hole; swinging an arm into contact with at least a portion ofthe label assembly; and placing the object onto the label assembly onthe apparatus to transfer the label of the face sheet onto the objectafter swinging the arm into with the portion of the label assembly. 5.The method of claim 4, further comprising: aligning the label assemblyon the apparatus using at least one index hole in the label assembly anda corresponding locating element on the apparatus.
 6. The method ofclaim 4, further comprising: aligning the label assembly on theapparatus using at least one center hole in the label assembly and acorresponding center stem on the apparatus.
 7. The method of claim 6further comprising: positioning a die cut that extends partially along aperimeter of the center hole through the face sheet and the back sheetso that the center hole is opened upon removal of tie first portion. 8.The method of claim 7 wherein the die cut is positioned along a side ofthe center hole that corresponds with a side of the first portion thatis removed first.
 9. The label assembly according to claim 6 wherein thecenter hole is offset relative to a corresponding die cut in the firstportion.
 10. A method for applying a label portion in a repeatablemanner, the method comprising: providing a label assembly having a facesheet and a back sheet wherein a first portion of the back sheet isremovable to expose an adhesive side of the label portion; exposing atleast one hole in the face sheet as the first portion is removed;aligning the face sheet on an apparatus using the at least one hole anda corresponding locating element on the apparatus; swinging an arm intocontact with at least a portion of the label assembly prior to placingthe object on the apparatus; and placing the object on the apparatus sothat the label portion transfers to the object.
 11. The method of claim10 further comprising: aligning the object on the label portion usingthe corresponding locating element on the apparatus.
 12. The method ofclaim 10 further comprising: aligning the object on the label portionusing a center stem extending from the apparatus.
 13. The method ofclaim 10 further comprising: placing the object through an aperture inthe arm.
 14. The method of claim 10 further comprising: releasing theobject from the apparatus using one or more finger apertures positionedthrough a base of the apparatus.
 15. The method of claim 10 wherein theobject comprises a CD.
 16. A method for applying a label portion in arepeatable manner, the method comprising: providing a label assemblyhaving a face sheet and a back sheet wherein a first portion of the backsheet is removable to expose an adhesive side of the label portion;exposing at least one hole in the face sheet as the first portion isremoved; aligning the face sheet on an apparatus using the a least onehole and a corresponding locating element on the apparatus; swinging anarm into contact with at least a portion of the label assembly; andplacing the object through an aperture of the arm so that the labelportion transfers to the object.